Maria Sharapova won her first Grand Slam match on Monday night since the 2016 Australian Open. The result was not so stunning given that Sharapova brought a 6-0 record into the match against Simona Halep heads up. Halep was the player in better form, but in many ways, the Russian didn't seem like a big underdog in the match. Rather it appeared as though Halep had a slight edge in a match that otherwise looked like a coin toss. The result has significant implications for each player at this point in their 2017 WTA seasons.
Sharapova has a great draw now
When you beat a top-ranked player in the first round of a Grand Slam not only do you make major headlines, but you also steal that player's perspective of the draw. When Sharapova defeated Halep on Monday night at the 2017 US Open, the Russian effectively took over the point of view of a two seed in the women's singles draw. Sharapova will next face Timea Babos, and the Russian appears to have a workable path through to the quarterfinals at least. Sharapova has had injury problems of late, so her status updates are worth watching, but that she is in a weak quarter following the upsets on Monday is clear.
Johanna Konta, the seven seed in the tournament, also went out in Sharapova's quarter of the draw on Monday night.
What that means is that Sharapova can't face anyone with a top-ten seed at Flushing Meadows until at least the semifinals, should the Russian keep her form up. Sloane Stephens is now the most-dangerous player besides Sharapova in this quarter of the draw. However, the American herself has to face Dominika Cibulkova in the next round, making for one of the more interesting matches in the 2nd round for later this week.
Halep's chances of getting to No. 1 drift
With Halep's elimination, the moment seems to be lost for the Romanian when it comes to getting the No. 1 ranking. She was more than in the mix heading into New York as she was just five points back of Karolina Pliskova. But Halep, having previously missed three opportunities, will fall behind the pack a bit when the US Open is over, and the rankings update.
Garbine Muguruza is now a very significant player for the World No. 1 ranking as the Spaniard advanced on Monday night. She shares a draw to the final with Sharapova now. However, that point in the tournament is still well off. Caroline Wozniacki is also a player to keep an eye on in this half of the draw. The Dane has twice made the final of Flushing Meadows, and she advanced to the second round on Monday as well.
